286 CONDITION OF OUR BARQUE. 



for special occasions, and coifee takes its place as a 

 beverage for supper. Our boats are nearly all worth- 

 less, and now only comprise the four on the cranes — 

 two having been disposed of to Captain Phinney, of 

 the Europa ; who likewise got all of the spare oars. 

 "We have but one respectable set of topsails and 

 courses that can be depended upon in heavy weather, 

 and are ill provided for a much longer stay from 

 home. Should we take another cruise or two, the 

 expenses of refitting would be great ; and, should we 

 then do nothing, instead of a source of profit to the 

 owners, we would prove a burden, independent of 

 the loss of time to ourselves. At the same time we 

 feel loath to return with so sorry a cargo ; and there 

 are a number amongst us who are anxious and wil- 

 ling to risk the prospect of another six months' or a 

 year's work, so as to have something due them on 

 their return ; forgetting that, although they were to 

 land penniless, the six or twelve months thus spent 

 at sea, if steadily devoted to some occupation ashore, 

 would return a much larger sum. 



At 11 o'clock on the morning of the 20th, we 

 weighed our anchors with the intention of going out ; 

 but no sooner were they tripped, than the current set 

 us down upon the Europa, which lay a cable's length 

 astern. All hands jumped on the taffrail and quar- 

 ters, and shoving with might and main, prevented 

 a collision. We then kedged her ahead, and, finding 

 it impossible for us to leave until the Europa sailed, 

 we lowered our boats and towed her into the channel. 

 Then kedging ahead to clear the shoal, after nar- 

 rowly escaping planting her stern on it, off she went 

 in gallant style. 



